Bellingham Scoop: February 19th

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Good Morning Bellingham!! Whether you're looking for live music, outdoor adventures, local history, or even a little beer money (Kulshan Brewing is hiring!), this week has something for everyone. Rick Steves is in town, Lyle Lovett is taking the stage, and the North Pasayten Wilderness is calling your name. Plus, if you're a parent, it's time to get those kindergarten registration plans in order!

Scroll down for the best things to do, the latest local news, and a few must-know updates. Let’s make this week in Bellingham one to remember!

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This Week’s Must-Dos:

📅 Wednesday, Feb 19
🎶 Lizzie No at The Shakedown – Folk meets indie rock in this soul-stirring performance by singer-songwriter Lizzie No. Expect rich storytelling and a little banjo magic! [$15 | The Shakedown | 8 PM]

🎿 Ski Tuning Workshop at Backcountry Essentials – Keep your skis in top shape with this hands-on tuning workshop. Perfect for getting your gear mountain-ready! [$20 | Backcountry Essentials | 6 PM]

📅 Thursday, Feb 20
🎤 An Evening with Lyle Lovett & His Acoustic Group – The legendary Lyle Lovett brings his signature storytelling and twang to Mount Baker Theatre for an intimate acoustic set. [$60+ | Mount Baker Theatre | 7:30 PM]

📅 Friday, Feb 21
📚 Celebrating the Finalists of the Nancy Pearl Book Award – Meet the best new authors in the Pacific Northwest at this literary celebration. Perfect for book lovers! [FREE | Village Books | 7 PM]

🔔 Sound Therapy with Kristi – Unwind with the healing vibrations of sound therapy. A perfect way to de-stress before the weekend! [$10 | Bloedel Donovan Community Building | 6:30 PM]

😂 Southside Comedy Hour Starring Sam Ellefson – Get ready for big laughs as Sam Ellefson takes the mic at this local comedy night! [$15 | Corner Taphouse | 8 PM]

📅 Saturday, Feb 22
🐾 Ecosystem Awareness: Wildlife Tracking & Ecology Basics – Learn to read the land like a pro in this hands-on nature tracking workshop. [SOLD OUT]

🧵 Haida Berry Basket Necklace Workshop – Indigenous artist Lisa Telford teaches the traditional Haida technique of basket weaving in this unique jewelry-making class. [$50 | Jansen Art Center | 11 AM]

⛑️ Wilderness First Aid at Larrabee State Park – An essential outdoor safety course for hikers, campers, and adventurers alike! [$315 | Larrabee State Park | SOLD OUT]

📅 Sunday, Feb 23
🎻 Bellingham Chamber Music Society at Hotel Leo – Enjoy a night of elegant classical music in the stunning Crystal Ballroom. [Starting at $10 | Hotel Leo | 5 PM]

📅 Monday, Feb 24
🍻 Good Neighbor Night at Stones Throw Brewery – Drink a beer, support a cause! This event raises funds for Wild Whatcom’s outdoor education programs. [Donation-Based | Stones Throw Brewery | 4 PM]

🌏 Rick Steves – On the Hippie Trail – The travel legend himself shares stories from his early backpacking adventures through Istanbul to Kathmandu. A must for travel lovers! [$35+ | Bellingham High School | 7 PM]

Adventure Awaits in the North Pasayten Wilderness!

Looking for a little midwinter inspiration to fuel your next outdoor adventure? This Thursday, head to Whatcom Museum – Old City Hall for a Travelogue session featuring photographer and avid hiker David Inscho. He’ll be sharing breathtaking images and personal stories from his backcountry treks through the North Pasayten Wilderness, a remote, rugged, and truly wild stretch along the U.S.-Canada border.

If you’re itching for a taste of solitude, sweeping landscapes, and maybe a little trail magic, this is the perfect chance to get inspired. Whether you're a seasoned adventurer or just dreaming of your first backcountry trip, Inscho’s tales of “Borderland Beauty, Sweat, and Solitude” will transport you straight into the heart of one of the Pacific Northwest’s most spectacular hidden gems.

🗓 Thursday, February 20
🕖 7:00 p.m.
📍 Whatcom Museum – Old City Hall
💰 FREE! ($5 suggested donation)

More details here: Whatcom Museum Event Page

Pack your sense of adventure—no hiking boots required!

Kindergarten Registration Opens Soon!

Got a little one ready for kindergarten? Registration starts in March for Bellingham’s full-day kindergarten programs at all 14 elementary schools!

Who Can Enroll?

Kids must be 5 by September 1 to start kindergarten. Not quite 5? Check out early entrance options!

How to Register

📌 Register online and have these handy:
✔ Birth certificate or passport
✔ Proof of address (lease, utility bill, etc.)
✔ Immunization records (most are in the system already!)

When Does Kindergarten Start?

Kinders get a special meet-and-greet with their teacher before officially starting—usually a few days after the big kids (grades 1-12).

Early Entrance & Promise K

Missed the cutoff? Apply for early entrance testing by May 1! Not quite ready for kindergarten? Promise K is a transitional pre-K program for 4-year-olds.

No stress—schools are ready for your kid just as they are! ❤️

Register & learn more here!

Elderly Woman Rescued After Overnight Ordeal Near Anderson Lake Rd

A coordinated rescue effort unfolded today on Anderson Lake Rd, where an elderly woman was found stranded on a steep cliffside after going missing overnight.

🚁 A drone from the City of Sumas located her around 11 a.m., perched down a steep embankment. District 14 Firefighters, alongside Whatcom County Sheriff’s Deputies, Sumas Police, and Bellingham Police, quickly sprang into action.

Using a rope rescue system, firefighters and law enforcement carefully carried her to safety, where an ambulance was waiting. She was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries—a relief for all involved.

Huge shoutout to the incredible first responders who made this successful rescue possible! Source: Facebook

Kulshan Brewing is Hiring Seasonal Beer Servers! 🍻

Summer is coming, and so is another epic beer season! Kulshan Brewing is on the hunt for seasonal beer servers to keep the good times flowing at Trackside Beer Garden and our two taprooms.

If you love craft beer, enjoy meeting people, and thrive in a fun, team-oriented environment, this is your sign to apply!

What You Need to Know:

✅ Part-time & full-time positions available
✅ Must be available nights & weekends at all three locations
✅ $17.66/hr + tips + beer perks! ($18.66/hr starting May 1, 2025)
✅ Customer service experience required (beer knowledge is a plus!)

What You’ll Do:

🍺 Greet guests & serve beer with a smile
💰 Operate the point-of-sale system
🧼 Keep the taproom clean & organized
📚 Learn and share your passion for craft beer!

At Kulshan, we’re all about community, sustainability, and good beer. We welcome all applicants—even if you don’t meet every qualification.

📅 Applications close Sunday, March 2! Apply now and join the fun! 🎉

➡️ Apply here

Ancient Wisdom, Modern Science: Why Clam Gardens Matter

What if a 4,000-year-old Indigenous technique could help restore marine ecosystems, improve fisheries, and support sustainable seafood? That’s exactly what WWU grad students Maia Heffernan and Chloe Cason are studying with the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community.

🌊 What’s a Clam Garden? Indigenous communities have long built rock walls on beaches to trap sediment, creating prime clam habitat—a practice proven to boost shellfish populations and stabilize shorelines.

🔬 Why It Matters: With climate change threatening marine ecosystems, this research could help bring back a sustainable, Indigenous-led solution to support local fisheries, crabbing, and water health.

🎓 What Maia & Chloe Are Doing:
✔ Studying water flow & chemistry in the garden
✔ Tracking its impact on clam growth & marine life
✔ Bridging traditional knowledge with cutting-edge science

Their work could shape future conservation efforts—and help communities reclaim traditional aquaculture practices in the fight for healthier oceans. Pretty cool, right?

Full story here.

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